Katie Fry Hester

Katie Fry Hester is a Democratic member of the Maryland State Senate representing District 9. First elected in 2018, she became the first Democrat to represent the district in over two decades. Prior to her political career, Hester worked for 20 years in international development with a focus on sustainable strategies and public-private partnerships. She earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural and biological engineering from Cornell University. Within the Senate, Hester serves as the Deputy Majority Whip and has chaired the Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology. Her primary legislative priorities have included cybersecurity reform, environmental resiliency, and healthcare access.